Yebba

Her vocals and tone showcase a ground work in Jazz, while the power that supports her is gospel in nature. Yebba has been featured on Black Tea many times. This week she is featured on Lucky Daye’s newest duo, “How Much Can a Heart Take”. The buttery-ness of her voice soothes the ears.

Originally from West Memphis, Arkansas, Yebba was first noticed while performing background vocals for Chance the Rapper on SNL in 2016. She grew up in the church and her dad played organ. In 2017 she released her debut single, “Evergreen”. In 2017 she was co-signed to Ed Sheeran’s label. Yebba has always been a strong advocate for mental health and individuality. Find out more @yebba.

Brent Faiyaz

A soulful angelic voice, Brent Fiayaz has graced the Black Tea playlist more than four times. His sound reminisces in the 80’s/90’s era where boy groups such as Boyz II Men and New Edition were king. His heart felt lyrics and natural R&B tonality creates a timeless vibe.

Originally from Maryland, Brent started making music when he was 12. He released his first EP , “Black Child”, onto SoundCloud in 2014. In 2017 he released his first full body of work, “Into”. The rest is history. Find out more @brentfiayaz.

NAO

Nao trademark voice has created its own space in the neo soul world. Her sound pulls influences from east side London scene while still giving nods to her Jamaican heritage. The foundation of her music sits on tasteful electronic beats driven by soul, funk, and RnB vibes.

The youngest of 5, Nao grew up in a Jamaican household on the Eastside of London. She went on to study vocal jazz at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. She went on to be a background singer for Kwabs and Jarvis Crocker. For six years she sang in an all women’s acapella group called The Boxettes. In 2014 she came out with here first EP, “So Good”, which ranked 4 on iTunes and set her on her way to be the amazing artist we know today.

Tane

Tane’s music is soulful, funk and light. A guitarist originally from Israel, Tane relocated to Brooklyn at a young age. He has been making music since 2006, but started releasing it to the masses in 2018. Find out more @dotan_bergman

Goldlink

Goldlink’s rapping and sound is very distinctive. He plays off of the classic Mid-Atlantic/East Coast flow and pairs it with a funk forward vibe. His style is unique as he stays true to his story and embraces his feelings lyrically.

Born in Washington DC, Goldlink started making music with a friends after he graduated high school in the Virginia area. He started putting out music under his real name, “D’Anthony Carlos and in 2013 he recorded his first tracks at Indie Media Lab under Gold Link James. His released his first mixtape in 2014, called, “The God Complex”. This mixtape, put his name on the map and in 2016 he signed with RCA Records. He is a Black Tea favorite. Find out more @goldlink

Mac Ayers

His sounds is infused with jazz, soul, and RnB, but is calibrated to a modern intake. The instrumentation is distinctive and intentional. His voice melts into arrangements creating a dream like vibe.

Born in New York, Mac Ayers found a love for music at an early age. When he was 11 he taught himself piano and at age 16 he taught himself guitar. He was also know for being a champ on the baseball field, playing first base on the varsity team. He went on to attend the Berklee School of Music, in Boston for a few years. He then dropped out to finish his first EP “Drive Slow”. His latest body of work Magic 8ball, continues to promote a funky jazz forward vibe. Find out more @mmacyers

Ari Lennox

Ari Lennox’s unique Neo-soul vocals and shea butter vibes makes her sound fell like a continuous wave. Her music is just as authentic as she is. Her elements of humanity sponsor honest lyrics that truly connect. The interrelationship in how she expresses herself through music induces comfort, warmth, soul. Ari Lennox is a true RnB statement.

A Washington D.C native, Ari Lennox’s sound was inspired by her surroundings. She started posting music in her late teens and dropped her first mixtape, “Five Finger Discount”, in 2009. Her music started circulating more during 2013-2015, as Ari released 3 independent bodies of work. In 2016 became a family member of Dreamville and released her first EP, “Pho”. In 2019 she released her legendary debut album, “Shea Butter” Baby. Find out more @arilennox.

Saba

Saba’s art invokes a symphony of passion stemming from his unique experiences. This passion is accompanied by a harmonious wave of rhythm, rap, and soul. In 2016 his first official Album, “Bucket List Project”, made his name known beyond the Chicago music scene. The song, “Photosynthesis” became his first major hit, as he began to establish his reputation as a grounded conscience rapper.

Saba grew up on the westside of Chicago close to the Austin neighborhood. Saba was a little genius and skipped two grades and graduated high school at 16. At the age of 7 he learned piano, which led him to play around with beats. His father was an R&B artist and helped him start his path is music. Find out more @sabapivot

Emawk

Emawk music brings a symphony of clean harmonies and amazing vocal layering. His relatable lyrics and modern melodies refresh the ear and warm the heart.

Emawk, a Boston Born, Kenyan-raised singer is completely self-made. He always had a love for music, which lead him to the Berklee College of Music. When he graduated he moved to New York where he started producing his own music. His first Album, “for ness” carved out his unique style, but his next body of work, “allthefeels”, got the attention of Black Tea and every song on the ep has been featured on a playlist. Find out more @emawk8

India Shawn

India Shawn’s soulful voice always effortlessly elevates her music. Her sound is full of west coast warmth and complimented with cool breeze beats. Her meaningful lyrics resonate and speak to the heart.. She has made many appearances on Black Tea and her songs, “Movin’ On” and “CALI LOVE” both made the top played songs of 2020.

An LA native and singer-song writer, India Shawn has graced the music industry with her talents for more than 10 years. Prior to releasing here debut EP, Origin, in 2012 “, she already had writing credits being a member of the writing team Full Circle. Find out more @indiashawn .

Floyd Fuji

Floyd Fuji is the only artist to consecutively kick off a Black Tea playlist. This up and coming artist soulful tastes paired with eclectic beats creates stunning earful of sound.

Originally from the east coast, Floyd always had a love for music and this was accelerated when he starting music school in Boston at age 15. He started making music with some of his best friends and last year he made the move to LA. Find out more @floydfuji

Chris Anderson

Chris Anderson is a man of many talents. He is a drummer/producer/writer originally form New York, but he now resides in LA. He studied jazz two years at Loyola, then dropped out to start writing his own music. His first appearance on Black Tea was as a drummer for Mac Ayers on, “ Something to Feel”. 2020 has been his break out year, as he released his first full body of solo work called, “Smile When You Can”. Two songs from this body of work have already been featured on Black Tea.

His sounds give a node to jazz and soul, but still maintains an distinct flavor. The jazz elements are interpreted with a modern flare and his writing leaves the listener wanting more.

Lucky Daye

Lucky Daye’ s smooth vocals and musicality has landed him on Black Tea multiple times. His first break out single Roll Some Mo appeared on the first ever Black Tea. His style has a funky soulful bass, elevated with crisp finishes and tight corners. His extended range facilitates unique musical moments time and time again.

A New Orleans native was raised in a religious cult. He grew up sining in the cult, but always had a love for secular music. His major influences were Prince, Lauren Hill, Rick James and Stevie Wonder. His curiosity to sing secular music lead him to RCA records and after being signed in 2008. He also established himself as a song wirter and background vocalist for name like Ne-yo, Mary J. Blige, and Trey Songz.

DragonFruit

Dragonfruits sound is fresh and light yet grounded in soulful melodies. Releasing their first single in May of 2019, the group has consistently produced distinguishing Alt-R&B singles that demand to be replayed. They made their first Black Tea appearance with “Some Say” and are making another appearance with their new single “Apples”! Apples, “ is written from the perspective of the serpent”-Danique. The song plays off the the bible story of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden.

The group met while studying at Cordarts Rotterdam music conservatory in Holland. The band consist of Danique van de(Vocalist), Anton de Bruin(Keys/Producer), Bryan Manuel(Bass) and Thijimen Molema(Drummer). They all came together as producer Anton de Bruin & Sjoerd Huissoon were looking to create an Alt-RnB project. They felt the genre was under represented at their school and in Holland. Check their music out on all platforms! @drgnfrtmusic

Latrell James

Latrell James is known to be more of a charismatic poet than a rapper. Appearing on Black tea multiple times, his song authentically unlock his story while harmonies pushing the bounds of his genre. Airy, but grounded, soulful and deep, Latrell James music consistently delivers a musical epiphany.

Originally for the Dorchester neighborhood in Boston, James started producing music at the age of 12. In 2015, he released his first body of work “Twelve”. His most Recent EP, “Under” address the Social and Racial unrest in America. “No Laws”, is a Black Tea all time favorite. @ latrelljames

Alex Isley

Alex Isley sound refreshes the ear palate every time. Her sweet soulful melodies intertwine with the essence of her eclectic heritage! She has been featured on Black Tea multiple times and she is the only artist to be placed back to back weeks.

LA grown, Alex Isley is an offspring of one of the Funk Kings, The Isley Brothers. Alex started classical training at the of 12 and went on to study jazz theory at UCLA. Since then, she has written and produce 5 plus original albums. She is consistently producing music that has high re- listenability qualities. @lovealexisely

Elton Aura

Elton Aura, A self proclaimed

renaissance vocalist has continued to make a unique mark on the Chicago music scene. Born in

Montgomery, Illinois, Elton moved around a lot as a child, but he always found himself in music. He started performing at family functions at the age of 8 and started taking recording seriously in high school.

Brasstracks

Brasstracks is a duo that formed in 2014 consisting of

Ivan Jackson and Conor Rayne. The group met and starting building a unique foundation for their sound while completing undergrad at

Manhattan School of Music. Brasstracks just released their debut Album Golden Ticket

The unique interfusion of urban landscape grounded on one of the most classic art forms, Jazz, distinguishes Brasstrack’s sound. The duo has been reviving the big band feel while interlocking with latest Hip Hop, RnB, and Soul artist. @brasstracks

Lianne La Havas

Lianne La Havas has made many appearances on Black Tea. Her soulful voice, accompanied by her rhythmic guitar playing create a unique space for the ear to buds to blossom. Her thoughtful song writing is an endorsement of her authenticity . Each song establishes a vignette that sinks deep into the sub-conscience.

Originally from London, she was signed to Warner Bros Records in 2010. She took almost a full two years to craft her song writing technique. Her first album, Lost & Found debuted October 21, 2011. Stephen McGregor went on to produce her second album Blood, and her latest self titled album just hit the music scene on July 17,2020.